The 2018 winter co-ed basketball season was one of the largest to date.
By: Amy Filippone, Dept. of Parks & Recreation
The Moorestown Parks and Recreation 2018 winter co-ed basketball season had a banner year. Overall, the winter basketball season was comprised of 11 leagues, 74 teams and 700 players. It included first grade through high school. Its premise is simple: everyone is welcome and everyone plays.
The high school boys league had its largest participation ever — 14 teams with 120 players. The high school volunteer coaches met on a dark January evening for an organized draft to pick their teams. The season concluded on March 18 with the final four game followed by the championship game: “Team 9” Coach Kevin Peterson’s team prevailed over “Team 2” Coach Jim Walsh’s team with a final score of 30 to 39. Thank you to all the volunteer coaches and parents for making this a great season.
Just prior to the high school championship, the annual 3 v. 3 basketball fundraiser on Saturday, March 17 was also a big success. Ninety players came out to support the joint Live Civilly and Moorestown Parks & Recreation event.
Mini teams included third graders through adults. The proceeds will go to provide lunches to summer campers in need and other Live Civilly programming. All the referees donated their time in honor of Mike Bartello, a beloved fixture for over 50 years at the Moorestown Parks & Recreation Department.
Residents can keep the ball in play and sign up for more basketball events over the spring and summer. There will be spring and summer basketball clinics for first through sixth graders. Coach Ted Flick will instill his passion and expertise of more than 25 of playing and coaching for the sport. These dynamic clinics give kids the opportunity to sharpen their skills and get some play time. Skill-specific drills are set up throughout the gym focusing on the fundamentals: dribbling, passing, rebounding and shooting. Full court scrimmages will be played afterwards.
Summer League basketball games starts June 25 through July 25. It is open to all boys and girls grades three through eight. Games will be played outside at Maple Dawson Park on two courts under the lights. League play will be for five weeks with a guaranteed eight games per team. Volunteer coaches needed.
Visit www.moorestownrec.com for full details and to register.
